Genkin Philharmonic’s Final Performance

Genkin Philharmonic’s Final Performance

Wednesday, June 19

Tonight marks the final performance of the electro/acoustic ensemble known as the Genkin Philharmonic, playing their final notes where it all began, at Buffalo’s bastion of local music, Nietzsche’s. Since 2008, the ten-piece ensemble has delivered renditions of avant-rock tunes from the likes of Zappa, Radiohead, King Crimson and Captain Beefheart, along with recreations of classical pieces from Stravinsky, Ives, Prokofiev and more. Formed by trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and UB associate professor of music Jon Nelson, Genkin is comprised entirely of local professional musicians, and has specialized in building a deep repertoire of unusual and challenging music. The group’s arrangements are as close to striking a balance between complexity and accessibility as you can get: technically challenging pieces that stay true to the spirit and energy of the original artist, but veer off course just enough to keep the audience guessing. The Genkin Philharmonic will present most of their entire repertoire for tonight’s performance, nearly 200 minutes of genre-defying music. The first 100 paid audience members will receive a free Genkin CD, so bid farewell to one of Buffalo’s most unique ensembles and give them the sendoff they deserve. —jon wheelock